December 8, 2014We need your help!Congress returns to work today and is expected to take action on legislation to continue funding the government into the current 2015 fiscal year (FY2015). ATA continues to seek immediate relief from the two new unjustified Hours of Service restart restrictions, by including language that would suspend and study the effects of those restrictions for one year. The language was authored by Senator Collins and passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee 21-9 earlier this year.The Collins language addressing these restart provisions is being challenged by self-appointed safety groups, the Teamsters, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. These groups have sent letters to Congress that are misleading and which mischaracterize the issues. American Trucking Associations president Bill Graves sent a letter to the Appropriations Committee leaders on Thursday stating the facts and urging their support for the Collins language, and highlighting other measures that will improve truck safety. ATA has sent a release to the media Saturday morning to ensure our story is told.

Senator Collins on Friday sent a letterto Transportation Secretary Foxx questioning why his letter to Congress misrepresents several key issues and fails to approach these important concerns from a data-driven perspective. Senator Collins, with great detail, explains the facts and includes the letter former FMCSA Administrator Annette Sandberg sent to Capitol Hill earlier this year.While many of you heeded the call earlier this summer to push your delegation to support the hours of service language, and then again took action when Congress returned in early November urging passage of the Omnibus Appropriations bill, we need your help again!Please immediately contact your Members of Congress urging support of the Collins language on hours of service for truck drivers. As we have all experienced, these rules are ineffective and costly to not only our companies but to our professionals that safely deliver our nation's freight.The process is simple and takes just a few minutes. To begin,click here, add your contact information and use the included letter. The software automatically matches your zip code with your Members of Congress.Thanks in advance for your help on this vital trucking issue.